Based on a study of ancient sources and contemporary literature, this is a fast paced and compelling new account of the tempestuous last century of the Roman Republic.
The political process that culminated in the transition from Republic to Empire in ancient Rome began with the military reform of Caius Marius in the last decades of the 2nd century BC. Following the Civil War and Sulla’s dictatorship, it developed further with the First Triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, and two further civil wars. These wars, which saw Caesar pitted against Pompey, and Octavian fighting Anthony, ended in 27 BC with the rise to power of Octavian, the adoptive son of Caesar.
Before Augustus outlines a summary of the last years of the Roman Republic, weaving together the military, political, and social aspects. Scholar Natale Barca sets the protagonists within the complex societal and political system that they operated, analyzing their actions, and the epic battles that ensued.
Preface
I. Caesar II. Friends and enemies III. Caesar favors a rapprochement between Crassus and Pompey IV. The Triumviral Pact V. The Julian Laws of 59 VI. Cicero VII. Dark clouds gather VIII. Clodius the tribune I X. Cato is removed from Rome X. A three-step strategy XI. The Gallic War explodes XII. Gang warfare XIII. The exile’s return XIV. The Lucca Agreement XV. The military intervention in Egypt XVI. The suppression of the uprising in Armorica and the conquest of the South-West XVII. The First landing in Britannia XVIII. A bridge over the Rhine XIX. The second landing in Britannia XX. A crisis explodes on the banks of the Rhine XXI. An excellent murder XXII. Caesar enters into friction with the Senate XXIII. The situation turns on itself XXIV. Crossing the Rubicon XXV. The outbreak of the Civil War XXVI. Pharsalus XXVII. The Alexandrian War XXVIII. A gruesome suicide XXIX. Munda: The last battle XXX. An ephebe on the victor’s chariot XXXI. More than a dictator for life, almost a king XXXII. Cleopatra in Rome XXXIII. Twenty-three stabs XXXIV. One day in March in Apollonia XXXV. The Second Triumvirate XXXVI. Philippi XXXVII. New theaters of war XXXVIII. Octavian, the winner Epilogue. Octavian becomes the princeps, the augustus
Further Reading Index
Natale Barca was a visiting scholar researcher at University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA, and an academic visitor at the University of London’s Institute of Classical Studies and is a member of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies (Roman Society), London. He is the author of thirteen monographs, many focused on the political and military history of the Roman Late Republic.
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